OFB 2012 Primary Endorsements

Friends of ag face primary challenges: Two great advocates for Oregon’s farm and ranch families face challengers in the May primary election.

Click to see PDF of primary endorsements.

In House District 48 (Happy Valley/Damascus area east of Portland), champion for natural resource families Rep. Mike Schaufler (D) faces an opponent funded by anti-agriculture downtown Portland special interests. “Mike stands strong with farm families, no matter what heat he takes for it. He’s one of the best friends we have in Salem, and we’ll do everything we can for him in this race,” said OFB President Barry Bushue.

In House District 56 (most of Klamath and Lake Counties), long-time OFB leader Tracey Liskey also has a contested primary. “Few people have contributed more to the ag community than Tracey has over the last two decades. From task forces, to the OFB board, to the state board of agriculture, Tracey has a record of public service second to none. He’s a real farmer, a leader who has proven he can get results,” said Bushue.

In both districts, there is no general election opponent, so the race will be decided in the primary. If you live in HD 48 or 56, or you know people who do, the best way to support these friends of the family farm is to vote for them and encourage others to do the same. If you don’t live in either district, you can still contribute financially or as a volunteer for both campaigns. To help great advocates like these, you can also contribute to the OFB Political Action Committee, which supports candidates like these every year.

U.S. Congress: Rep. Greg Walden, District 2 and Rep. Kurt Schrader, District 5

Note: The OFB Board of Directors approved “A” grades to the following legislators for their voting records and work on behalf of Farm Bureau in the 2011-12 legislative cycle.

 Note: All state legislators who received an “A” grade from the OFB Board of Directors are endorsed by OFB. However, there are a small handful of legislators who received “As,” but are not running for re-election in 2012.

Find what legislative district you are in. 

Oregon House of Representatives (organized by district):
Wayne Krieger, Dist. 1             Tim Freeman, Dist. 2               Wally Hicks, Dist. 3
Dennis Richardson, Dist. 4       Sal Esquivel, Dist. 6                 Bruce Hanna, Dist. 7
Andy Olson, Dist. 15                 Sherrie Sprenger, Dist. 17       Vic Gilliam, Dist. 18
Kevin Cameron, Dist. 19          Vicki Berger, Dist. 20               Brian Clem, Dist. 21
Jim Thompson, Dist. 23           Jim Weidner, Dist. 24               Kim Thatcher, Dist. 25
Matt Wingard, Dist. 26            Katie Brewer, Dist. 29               Shawn Lindsay, Dist. 30
Julie Parrish, Dist. 37               Bill Kennemer, Dist. 39            Mike Schaufler, Dist. 48
Matt Wand, Dist. 49                 Patrick Sheehan, Dist. 51         Mark Johnson, Dist. 52
Gene Whisnant, Dist. 53          Jason Conger, Dist. 54              Mike McLane, Dist. 55
Bill Garrard, Dist. 56                Greg Smith, Dist. 57                 Bob Jenson, Dist. 58
John Huffman, Dist. 59            Cliff Bentz, Dist. 60

Oregon Senate (organized by district):
Jeff Kruse, Dist. 1                    Jason Atkinson, Dist. 2              Chris Edwards, Dist. 7
Frank Morse, Dist. 8               Fred Girod, Dist. 9                     Brian Boquist, Dist. 12
Larry George, Dist. 13            Bruce Starr, Dist. 15                  Alan Olsen, Dist. 20
Chuck Thomsen, Dist. 26        Chris Telfer, Dist. 27                 Doug Whitsett, Dist. 28
David Nelson, Dist. 29             Ted Ferrioli, Dist. 30